Miguel Rubia v.

National Labor Relations Commission, Fourth Division, Cebu City,

Community Water and Sanitation Cooperative and The Board of Directors; GR 178621, July
26, 2010.

Facts:
Petitioner Rubio was a member of the Board of Community Water and Sanitation
Cooperative (COWASSCO), a cooperative engaged in water and sanitation service for Argao, Cebu,
before he became General Manager. COWASSCO, through its Chairman of the Board, issued a
memorandum charging petitioner with mismanagement of operation relating to the non-monitoring
and non-compliance on the correct dosage of chlorine to the water system which was believed by the
Sangguniang Bayan to have caused a typhoid fever epidemic and requesting an explanation from
him within 48 hours after the receipt of this Memorandum.
Petitioner submitted his explanation and claimed that he complied with all the
recommendations of the Sangguniang Bayan. He shifted the blame to the Chlorinator and the
Master Plumber. He likewise asserted that the Board of Directors was equally culpable and
accountable to the lapses committed by said Chlorinator and Master Plumber.
Petitioner was terminated for loss of trust and confidence. The Board of Directors in the
course of their investigation found him guilty of mismanagement. Among others, his acts include the
following among others: the water was contaminated once again; he failed to implement the putting
up of a fence and putting open launders to all the spring boxes so that flood water cannot penetrate
and he failed to implement a Board Resolution to install a water gauge in the reservoir.
Petitioner filed a complaint for illegal dismissal. He averred that his dismissal was illegal as
there was no clear showing of a clear, valid and legal cause.
The LA found petitioner’s dismissal as illegal. The LA ruled that respondents failed to prove
that there was loss of trust and confidence. Petitioner was not accorded due process when only one
incident of mismanagement was mentioned in the show-cause notice but petitioner was dismissed on
the ground of several other incidents.
Respondents appealed to the NLRC which reversed and set aside the LA’s decision. The
NLRC was mum on the issue of due process.
Petitioner filed a petition for certiorari before the CA which dismissed the petition. The CA
held that petitioner was remiss in his duties and responsibilities as general manager of COWASSCO
in failing to see to it that the correct dosage of chlorine was added to the water. Petitioner was
rightfully dismissed.
Hence, this petition. Petitioner maintains that he was denied due process because the first
notice requirement for dismissing an employee was not observed. He elucidates that the show-cause
notice mentioned only of one incident. In the resolution terminating petitioner, there were other
incidents cited which petitioner was not previously informed.
Respondents allege that petitioner was validly dismissed for his numerous infractions, which
were all mentioned in the letter by the Sangguniang Bayan. They reiterate that petitioner was
afforded due process. They explain that they sent a memorandum to petitioner requiring him to
explain why no disciplinary action should be taken against him. They even conducted a formal
investigation wherein petitioner was given the full opportunity to defend himself.

Issues:
1. Whether or not petitioner was validly dismissed on the ground of loss of trust and confidence;
and
2. Whether or not the due process requirement for termination was observed.
Ruling:
1. YES. Article 282(c) of the Labor Code allows an employer to terminate the services of an
employee for fraud or willful breach by the employee of the trust reposed in him by his employer
or his duly authorized representative. The employee concerned must be holding a position of
trust and confidence and there must be an act that would justify the loss of trust and confidence.

As General Manager, petitioner was tasked the general operation of the cooperative. Petitioner held
a position of trust and confidence. He occupies a highly sensitive and critical position which
involves a high degree of responsibility. The NLRC aptly observed that in petitioner’s hands
therefore lies the health and even lives of the people of Argao. For breach of trust to constitute a
valid cause for dismissal, it must be willful, meaning it must be done intentionally, knowingly, and
purposely, without justifiable excuse. Petitioner did not deny that he was remiss in his duties.

2. YES. Article 277(b) of the Labor Code provides that “…the employer shall furnish the worker
whose employment is sought to be terminated a written notice containing a statement of the
causes for termination and shall afford the latter ample opportunity to be heard and to defend
himself with the assistance of his representative if he so desires in accordance with company
rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to guidelines set by the DOLE…”

Section 2, Rule 23, Book 5 of the Rules Implementing the Labor Code, requires the employer to
furnish the employee with two written notices - (1) a written notice served on the employee
specifying the ground or grounds for termination, and giving to said employee reasonable
opportunity within which to explain his side; and (2) a written notice of termination served on the
employee indicating that upon due consideration of all the circumstances, grounds have been
established to justify his termination.

The twin requirements of notice and hearing constitute the elements of due process in cases of
employee's dismissal. Notice is intended to inform the employee concerned of the employer's intent
to dismiss and the reason for the proposed dismissal. Hearing affords the employee an opportunity to
answer his employer's charges against him and accordingly to defend himself therefrom before
dismissal is effected.

The SC modified the findings of the CA which observed that petitioner was not afforded a hearing
or conference before the termination was effected. Petitioner was in fact given the opportunity to
defend himself in an investigation conducted by the BOD. The failure to implement a Board
Resolution providing for a Code of Ethical Standard to employees of COWASSCO, does not by
itself constitute denial of due process.

Petitioner was informed in the first memorandum regarding the incorrect application of chlorine,
which was the more important ground by which his dismissal was premised. Petitioner did not make
a categorical denial of this allegation against him. In the second notice, the issue of incorrect
chlorination was also discussed in detail. The BOD cited instances showing that petitioner had not
properly safeguarded the well-being of the water consumers. It cannot be concluded that there was
denial of due process.

The essence of due process is simply an opportunity to be heard; it is the denial of this opportunity
that constitutes violation of due process of law. As long as petitioner was given an opportunity to
explain his side, the requirements of due process have been substantially complied with.